Mrs. Bennet was frowning at Lady Catherine. “Elizabeth works very hard and does not deserve to be spoken to in such a manner.”
Elizabeth said quietly, “Mother, it does not matter. Please do not concern yourself.”
Mrs. Bennet shook her head firmly. “No, it does matter. Elizabeth has managed Longbourn for years, and that is why we have Netherfield.”
Elizabeth sighed softly. “Mother…”
Lady Catherine laughed sharply. “Netherfield indeed.”
Mr. Bingley smiled. “Oh yes, it is quite true. The Bennets own Netherfield.”
Mr. Collins stared at Elizabeth. “You could not possibly manage Longbourn.”
Elizabeth turned to him calmly. “And why is that?”
He looked at her in astonishment. “Why…because you are a woman.”
Elizabeth nodded thoughtfully. “You are correct, Mr. Collins. I am a woman. Are you suggesting that women cannot manage an estate?”
He nodded vigorously. “Yes.”
Elizabeth tilted her head slightly. “I see. Then I wonder how Lady Catherine manages hers.”
Mr. Collins gasped, his expression showing his horror. “I said nothing about Lady Catherine.”
Elizabeth shrugged lightly. “She is a woman, and she manages an estate.”
Anne lowered her eyes quickly, and Elizabeth suspected she was attempting to hide a smile.
Mr. Collins glanced toward Lady Catherine and swallowed. “I only meant that women usually do not manage estates.”
Elizabeth, looking down the table, caught sight of Mr. Darcy, whose expression suggested he was making a determined effort to remain composed.
Miss Bingley, meanwhile, appeared increasingly dissatisfied, as she glanced at Mr. Darcy.
***
After dinner, Elizabeth decided that the last thing she wished was to sit in the drawing room and be interrogated by Lady Catherine. On impulse, she chose instead to go outside.
She had her hand on the doorknob when Mr. Darcy came up behind her.
“Going for a walk? May I join you?”
She nodded. “That would be lovely.”
They went outside, and he offered her his arm. For several moments they walked in silence along the gravel path, the moonlight falling softly across the gardens.
Darcy smiled. “This evening is considerably more tranquil than yesterday.”
Elizabeth laughed softly. “That would not be difficult to achieve.”
“You bore yesterday’s events with remarkable composure.”
“It did not feel like composure at the time.” She glanced up at him. “That reminds me. During what felt like endless journeys to the well with buckets, I noticed Mr. Collins sitting under a tree while the men were working.”
Darcy said quietly, “The women were working as well.”
They reached the end of the path and turned back toward the house. The faint scent of late roses drifted through the garden.
